Articles
Jesus and 1 John
Jesus and 1 John
John writes that he is writing from knowledge that comes from experience: he writes of what he has seen, heard, touched / handled, and observed (1:1-4). Having lived with Jesus, listened to Jesus, touched Jesus, watched with a careful eye, John now gives his testimony.
Jesus lived as a man, a man of flesh. Jesus was not a 'phantom' or 'spirit'. Jesus did not just 'seem to have a body' as claimed by the early Docetics. Jesus came in the flesh and to deny that is to be against Jesus, an anti-Christ (4:2-3).
John goes much further though in his testimony of Jesus, for he claims that Jesus is the Son of God. He does this not once or twice, but over 20 times (cp. 1:3,7, 2:22,23,24; 3:8, 23; 4:9, 10, 14, 15; 5:5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20). This was the very claim of Jesus that resulted in His crucifixion (Matt. 26:63f). Paul wrote that it was His resurrection that declared with Power that He was indeed the Son of God (Rom. 1:4). This is yet a main sticking point of belief to many Jewish people, the Islamic teaching, and of most people of the world.
Yet John goes on with other affirmations concerning this Jesus. As you read, you continue to be confronted by John's testimony:
· John also testifies that Jesus is the Christ (2:22; 5:1).
· He was WITH the Father (1:2) and was SENT by the Father (4:9, 10, 14); hence affirming His pre-existence before taking on a fleshly body.
· He came to destroy the very works of the Devil (3:8).
· He was without sin in His life (3:5). Thus He was the acceptable sacrifice which brought about propitiation for our sins (4:10) and for the whole world (2:2).
· He laid down His life for us (3:16), and by that sacrifice took away our sins (3:5). Thus, it is by His blood that we can be cleansed from all unrighteousness (1:7-8).
· Though He died, He is NOW our advocate with the Father (2:1).
It is through His coming in the flesh, living without sin, giving Himself as a sacrifice, and being raised and set at the right hand of God that He is now the Savior of the world (4:14).
For those who put their trust in Him, they partake of that life which is eternal (5:11, 4:9).
It is not just that we believe something, there are specific things that John says we must believe about Jesus. In such belief of ideas, there is also the element of TRUST in the person of Jesus. If we believe He is the Son of light, we trust Him enough to walk in the light. We believe that He loved us; we then trust Him and love our brethren. Here by we know that we know Him, when we keep His commandments (2:1-2). How would you describe your faith in Jesus?
Hugh DeLong
